‘Bell’ Cow 2.0? 49ers investigating Michigan State RB

With Frank Gore set to turn 30 in May, the 49ers are at least exploring the possibility of drafting his potential heir apparent in April.

According to a league source, the Niners have shown “considerable interest” in Michigan State’s Le’Veon Bell, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound bruiser who led Division I in carries (382) and ranked fifth in rushing yards (1,793) last year. According to STATS, Bell led the nation in yards after contact (922).

The 49ers were among seven teams to meet with Bell at the NFL combine in late February. At Michigan State’s pro day on March 13, a 49ers representative met with Bell after the workouts for a private film-study session.

Bell, who is projected as a second- to fourth-round pick, has been clocked in the 4.5s in the 40-yard dash. He is scheduled to have pre-draft visits with the Cowboys and Jets.

A running back would not appear to be a pressing need for the 49ers, who drafted LaMichael James in the second round last year and used a fourth-round pick on Kendall Hunter in 2011. In addition, Gore showed no signs of slowing in 2012: He ranked 10th in rushing yards (1,214) and averaged 4.7 yards per carry, his second-highest total since 2007.

Still, Gore ranks third among active players in rushing attempts (1,911) and the careers of productive NFL running backs often nosedive in their 30s. Hunter also sustained a torn Achilles in late November.

Neither Hunter (5-7, 199) nor James (5-9, 195) are classic power-running backs and the 49ers are fond of smash-mouth running, which can include Jumbo formations with seven offensive linemen. Last year, the 49ers investigated a running back similar to Bell in Utah State’s Robert Turbin (5-10, 222), who visited Santa Clara before the draft. The Seahawks selected Turbin in the fourth round.

This year, the 49ers have 14 draft picks, including seven in the first four rounds.

10. Guard: It seems unlikely Leonard Davis will return, so the 49ers could use a vet to take his spot. This could also aide the development of young players Joe Looney and Daniel Kilgore (seen here). A wise veteran like New York Jet Brandon Moore could be a possibility. less

10. Guard: It seems unlikely Leonard Davis will return, so the 49ers could use a vet to take his spot. This could also aide the development of young players Joe Looney and Daniel Kilgore (seen here). A wise ... more

Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle

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9. Tackle: The 49ers' swing tackle is Alex Boone, their starting right guard. That means if a tackle gets hurt, the 49ers would have to make two changes to their offensive line instead of one. Former Falcon Sam Baker could be a fit and so could former Lion Gosder Cherilus. less

9. Tackle: The 49ers' swing tackle is Alex Boone, their starting right guard. That means if a tackle gets hurt, the 49ers would have to make two changes to their offensive line instead of one. Former Falcon ... more

Photo: John Storey / Special to The Chronicle

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8. Tight end: The versatile Delanie Walker could be out the door to seek a starting job somewhere else. Even though Walker dropped 13 passes last year, his versatility, locker-room presence and ability to constantly motion is valuable. His departure would be a real loss.
Jet Dustin Keller and Redskin Fred Davis are coming off injury-marred seasons, but nevertheless could fit well in the backup TE role. So could Giant Martelius Bennett, who had a solid season as a blocker and a receiver. There's also an abundance of second-tier options; Raider Brandon Myers (seen here) heads the list. less

8. Tight end: The versatile Delanie Walker could be out the door to seek a starting job somewhere else. Even though Walker dropped 13 passes last year, his versatility, locker-room presence and ability to ... more

Photo: Paul Sakuma / AP

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7. Nose tackle - Plenty of teams have already expressed interest in signing the versatile Ricky Jean Francois who will be a free agent if the 49ers can't sign him by Tuesday. The same holds true for Isaac Sopoaga, but he is less likely to be signed because he's seen as only a nose tackle and he's entering his 10th season. He also started off last season poorly but came on in the end.
Seattle's Alan Branch could fit. He's about the same size as Sopoaga (325-330) but is only entering his fifth season. The 49ers also just signed their internal option Ian Williams, who has mainly been inactive on game day for the last two seasons. less

7. Nose tackle - Plenty of teams have already expressed interest in signing the versatile Ricky Jean Francois who will be a free agent if the 49ers can't sign him by Tuesday. The same holds true for Isaac ... more

Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle

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6. Running back: Frank Gore shows no signs of slowing down and the 49ers get Kendall Hunter back from his torn Achilles in training camp. However, there's no heir apparent to Gore, unless the team wants to go with a combination of Hunter and LaMicheal James. The draft would be the best place for the 49ers to find a late-round gem to eventually replace Gore. less

6. Running back: Frank Gore shows no signs of slowing down and the 49ers get Kendall Hunter back from his torn Achilles in training camp. However, there's no heir apparent to Gore, unless the team wants to go ... more

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

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5. Pass rush end: This need may top the 49ers' internal list after they reportedly visited with former Falcon John Abraham last week. Sacks became rare at the end of last year and it seemed that Aldon Smith was either bothered by a shoulder injury, spent or both.
The 49ers have the underrated Parys Haralson coming back after missing last season with a triceps tear, but the team is looking for more. Abraham would be a terrific option. Yes, he's older, but he's also been consistent at collecting sacks and he plays the run decently. Pittsburgh's James Harrison could possibly be an option, but would the 49ers want that kind of baggage for a part-time player? less

5. Pass rush end: This need may top the 49ers' internal list after they reportedly visited with former Falcon John Abraham last week. Sacks became rare at the end of last year and it seemed that Aldon Smith ... more

Photo: Bob Leverone / Associated Press

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4. Cornerback: This area seems high on everyone's list, but the 49ers have a fairly decent set with Carlos Rogers, Tarell Brown and Chris Culliver. Granted, Rogers is a year older, and Culliver had a horrible Super Bowl. Brown is probably the team's most steady player.
Free agent options include Miami's Sean Smith, who has the Redskins, Patriots, Bucs and Cardinals in pursuit. Any other corners, such as Cleveland's Greg Tolar, are unlikely to be better than what the 49ers already have. Then of course, there's Revis, who could be fetched in a trade. less

4. Cornerback: This area seems high on everyone's list, but the 49ers have a fairly decent set with Carlos Rogers, Tarell Brown and Chris Culliver. Granted, Rogers is a year older, and Culliver had a horrible ... more

Photo: Jordan Stead / Special to the Chronicle

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3. Defensive end: The team's most indispensable player - Justin Smith - is coming off triceps surgery and may have had his worst game as a 49er in the Super Bowl. He's also going to be 34 and at the very least will need to be spelled more often next year.
All the the defensive linemen need fewer snaps so they don't collapse at the end of the season like last year. A perfect fit could be Jets free agent Mike DeVito, who won't get a lot of sacks loves the dirty work at the position and could rotate into the line with no hint of a drop-off. He also wouldn't cost much. less

3. Defensive end: The team's most indispensable player - Justin Smith - is coming off triceps surgery and may have had his worst game as a 49er in the Super Bowl. He's also going to be 34 and at the very least ... more

Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle

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2. Safety: The fans are always talking about cornerback, mostly with Darrelle Revis in mind. At this point, it appears likely that the 49ers will lose Dashon Goldson to free agency, and the team is not one of the four apparently interested in former Raider and Packer Charles Woodson (Seahawks, Jets, Giants and Dophins).
There are plenty of other options including a pair of Arizona safeties in Rashard Johnson and Adrian Wilson, who is expected to be released. The 49ers have their own option in C.J. Spillman. The special teams ace is instinctual and a hard hitter, but the team doesn't know how he defends the pass. There's also the chance that Goldson could fall back to the 49ers if he doesn't get the free-agent gold he seeks. less

2. Safety: The fans are always talking about cornerback, mostly with Darrelle Revis in mind. At this point, it appears likely that the 49ers will lose Dashon Goldson to free agency, and the team is not one of ... more

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

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1. Kicker: This isn't a sexy first choice, but the 49ers don't have one. They could pick up a couple in the draft with their abundance of picks, or they could go the veteran route which is what they've done with the last kickers in Joe Nedney and David Akers. However, few free agent options exist here, with San Diego's Nick Novak and Cincinnati's Mike Nugent likely returning to their teams.
And as the 49ers witnessed towards the end of last season, the older vet options appear to be no option at all. One published report said the team has expressed interest in Giants free agent Lawrence Tynes. less

1. Kicker: This isn't a sexy first choice, but the 49ers don't have one. They could pick up a couple in the draft with their abundance of picks, or they could go the veteran route which is what they've done ... more